CoRoNa

Author: Annonymouse
Editor: Me, Myself and Annonymouse...
MLP:FiM is property of Hasbro. This is a free fan-fiction, not to be sold or traded for any money, goods or services.
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A/N: No comments on spelling or grammar please. See my profile for details.
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This is the sequel to fLuTtEr.
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CoRoNa
09

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“Princess Celestia and Princess Luna are dead. Long live the Tyrant King.” Pierce burst out laughing before vanishing in a flash of light.

Shining Armor's face fell. He had... failed?

His sworn royal duty to protect Princess Celestia and Princess Luna.

Failed.

The throne room grew a little darker as the moon's light dimmed, and the stars seemed to loose their beautiful twinkle, becoming little more than tiny white lights in the night sky.

“HAHAHAHAHA!!!” Pierce laughed maniacally. “So easy to defeat the so called rulers of Equestria. Soon our Lord, the Tyrant King will be reborn and all of Equestria will be ours.” HE walked forward, up too Shining Armor. “Don't worry, I'm sure your new king will let you keep your jobs.”

“No...” Shining lifted his head, glaring balefully at Pierce. “I will never stop until you and your sick cult are destroyed and the Princesses are restored to their throne.”

“You cannot bring back the dead.” Pierce's face only inches from the trapped Captain of the Unicorn Guard. “How about I let you see your Princesses again?”

Shining strained, but the magic that had him trapped, unable to use his own magic was too strong. “I will defeat you and...” He suddenly froze and gasped. He looked down and felt his blood run cold as it poured from a wound in his chest, a thin, cruel looking dagger sliding free, gripped in Pierce's black magic.

“You're a liability Captain. If you won't bow down, then you will die like all the others who don't bow down.” He stabbed Shining again... and again.

Shining cried out in agony as he was stabbed over and over. Then everything started fading. He stood on his hooves, even as his life left him...

…

The door to the throne room was finally forced open by no less than eight Unicorns. They stormed in and saw only a single pony standing in the center of the chamber.

“Captain?” His most trusted second in command rushed forward, but then stopped dead in his tracks. He could see the large pool of red at his Captain's hooves, spreading out and reflecting the dim light of the full moon.

He approached, the other guards entering the room and looking around, but all eyes fell on the Captain, and watched as Star Breaker removed his helmet, a look of sadness mixed with anger on his face. His short blond and red mane falling loose.

“Commander?” Lieutenant Cinder stepped forward.

“Captain Shining Armor... is dead.” He looked at the Royal Guard, even as a dozen more poured into the room, all looking confused. “Attention. All Royal Guard. Captain Shining Armor had been... murdered. Search the castle and the grounds for the murderer. You three.” He pointed at three guards, one Unicorn and two Pegasus. “You will come with me. We must find the Princesses. Dismissed.”

All the Royal Guard saluted and rushed from the chamber, minus the four. “Lieutenant Cindre... Get the field medics here... Let them tend to the Captain.” Commander Star Breaker donned his helmet. “You two, let us find the culprit.”

…

In the jail, deep below the Guard's headquarters, two mares sat in separate cells, across the hall from each other so they could at least see the other.

“Tavi...” Vinyl sat up suddenly as she woke up and looked around. She winced in pain as she felt her forelegs. She looked down and saw something horrible.

From the knee down... was gone.

“Vin? Oh Vin... I-I'm so sorry. Your legs... Are-are you going to be alright?”

The white Unicorn lay back on the bed, trying to fight back the tears of the pain. The loss of her legs. “What do you think.” She whimpered bitterly. “I-I'm never going to be able to even walk again, and like Tartarus if I'm getting those ugly fake legs.” She looked around her cell. “We did something horrible. I-I can remember all of it.” She whimpered some more. “This sucks.”

“Please don't be like that.” Octavia hung her head. She wished there was something she could do for her friend, as much as the Unicorn drove her crazy sometimes, and even to drink a few of those times. “We didn't do anything wrong. It was whoever controled us.”

“That's just it. We didn't do anything to stop whoever they were. We pretty much LET them turn us into tools. I feel like a total tool right now myself.” She closed her eyes and concentrated. She felt her magic, but then felt it blocked. “Great, I can't even use my magic.”

“The Guard placed a ring on your horn.” Octavia said. “Is that what's blocking your magic?”

“Great...” Vinyl scowled. “I loose my legs to the little Princess, then I get thrown in jail and...”

“I got killed.” Tavi said flatly. “I FELT my neck break... But somehow I was healed. Whoever did that can certainly heal your legs, right?”

Vinyl nodded her head slowly. “I guess.” She said just as slowly. “Till then, I guess I won't be doing anything... And great, I have to go to the bathroom.”

“There's a bucket in the corner.” Tavi pointed out and turned around.

“Oh ha ha. So funny.” She sounded bitter, and she had reason to be. “I can't even walk. My forelegs hurt way too much to try to crawl over.”

“...” Tavi sighed. “How about I get you some help.”

“Oh yea, fun. Being carried by a Royal guard, who are all stallions I may point out, just so I can use a bucket. I don't have magic, no forehooves. How do you expect me to even clean myself?”

Tavi blushed. “I-uh-I... I didn't even thing of that.”

Just then, the sound of a door opening caught their attention. Stepping into view was a Unicorn, wearing no armor. Rather, he was wearing a black cloak. “Hello puppets.” He grinned, his eyes glowing blood red...

…

“Princess?” Honey Crisp was resting at the foot of the large bed they were all sharing.

“Yes Honey?” Princess Corona Twilight lifted her head.

“Ah'm scared.” The half blood Zebra looked at Corona. “Ah'm worried about mah family.”

“They'll be fine.” Elusive, laying next to Corona, replied. “Whoever attacked was after us, not our families.” He looked at Sweet Dreams, who looked to be sleeping. No wonder, he had actually brought a dead pony back to life after all. The amount of magic that must have required. “They were after us.”

“What if they try again?” Corona asked. After what had happened, she had been brought back to the room, seeing as it would be easier for the Royal Guard to protect them.

Suddenly Corona gasped, clutching her chest. She let out a sudden sobbing cry and looked out the window.

The bright full moon suddenly went dim, looking like a simple gray sphere floating in the night sky. The Princess then fell limp, her eyes still open, but she was no longer conscious.

Wish Star scrambled to the door and threw it open. “Something's happened too the Princess. You have to help her.”

The two guards rushed into the room. They checked the Princess over before one levitated her. “I'm bringing her to the infirmary. The rest of you stay here with Lieutenant Twister. The Unicorn left the room quickly, baring his precious cargo.

The Pegasus guard frowned. “What happened?”

Elusive looked outside. “The moon... Corona suddenly cried out and then the moon went dim.” His eyes went wide. “Princess Luna... Where is she?”

“I don't know.” Twister frowned. “I can't leave you alone here.” He frowned. “I'll just be outside, in case you need anything.”

“Thank you.” Elusive sighed and crawled back onto the bed. He felt alone, and scared, but he had to remain strong, didn't he? He looked at all his friends, the reincarnations of the Elements of Harmony. “We all have to believe. We have to be strong.”

“But how?” Flicker Bolt spoke up. “We're just foals. I mean, come on. We're no older than ten years old. Heck, I don't even have my wings, the one thing that made me a real Pegasus.”

Wish Star opened his eyes and nuzzled Flicker. “I'm sorry for what Blood Rain did to you. All of you. I... I grew up around them. He rested a wing over Flicker's back and she sighed, relaxing.

They all looked out the window, at the dull moon.

“What is happening...” Elusive frowned.

…

Tatsujin Ningyou grinned as Pokey Pierce emerged from a shadow, with a pair of mares in tow.

“Hey Tatsu, look what I found locked up in the dungeon. Your playthings.” He smirked, his magic wrapped firmly around the mares. “I bet you can have some real fun with them when we get back to base.”

Tatsu grinned a a sick and twisted grin. “Oh yes. It's been far too long since I was allowed to practice my art to its full ability. Do you think High Priestess Blood Rain will allow me my... pleasure?”

“Ask her yourself. Let's go.” His shadowy cloak wrapped around the four, then faded into the shadows.

…

Corona was standing in the throne room. She could see a tall, shadowy figure sitting on the throne, the dull gray moon hanging in the sky behind the form.

“Mother?” Corona stepped forward.

“Mother is here.” A haunting, chilling voice echoed through the chamber, despite it being only a whisper. “Only...” The form spread a pair of demonic wings, four eyes, two on each side of the head, started flowing a sickly yellow-green color.

Corona stepped back, but then bumped into something. “She is not alive anymore.” The hollow laugh that assailed Corona's ears was too much.

“Leave my Mistress...” Another cold voice came from the shadows. Corona felt the air on the room go cold, so cold she could see her breath. But the voice, oddly it made her feel warm, comforted.

Her shadow spread forward and out. Rising from it was a tall, impossibly skinny pony, with horn and wings. “Mistress, do not look behind you. It may be but a nightmare, but you do not want to see it.”

“Who... Who are you?” The larger shadowy form whispered.

“I am the silence of the grave itself.” A scythe of shadows formed. “I will protect my Mistress from you. You will not take her dreams and corrupt her.”

“Silence... Grave?” Corona gasped. “You... You were... destroyed...”

“No. Never destroyed. You created me, my Mistress, and as long as you live, I will be there for you. You must regain your memories, your true powers. If you cannot, then all will be lost.”

“But... I'm just a foal. I may have been Twilight Sparkle, but I'm not her anymore. I am...”

“Princess Corona Twilight. First heir to the Throne of Equestria.” Silence cut her off. “I am your dream guardian.” He turned his head, revealing no face, just the skull of a pony, a bright violet, flickering flame coming from within his otherwise empty eye sockets.

“How...”

“I have been with you since the day you were born. You have never needed my protection, till now.” He turned to face the monster on the royal throne. “In this place, I am absolute Master. Begone.” He commanded the darkness.

It only chuckled. “Come now, I did not come here to fight. I merely came to see the Princess, and to pass along this message from my own Mistress. Your time will come, and the darkness within will consume all in its path.” The form chuckled, then faded away.

Corona shivered, then felt the thing behind her with her tail. She started to turn again.

“Mistress, do not look. If you do, then that monster wins.” He turned, his emotionless face looking down at her small form. “Come now, time to leave this place.” He lowered his head, touching the tip of his horn to hers.

…

Corona screamed as she woke up. She looked around, frantically. She then calmed down as she realized she was in the royal hospital.

“Princess?” A doctor entered the room. “How are you feeling?”

“S-scared. Where in Mother? Where is Aunty Luna?”

The Doctor shrugged. “The guard who brought you in didn't tell me anything. He returned to protect your friends after two more guards arrived to guard you.” He gestured to the door, where Corona could see the pair of guards standing at attention, but looking wary and nervous.

“Guards.” Corona called them in. “Come in here.”

“Yes Princess.” The pair of Pegasai stepped in. “What do you wish of us?” One asked.

“Where is Mother? Where is Aunty Luna?”

“We... do not know.” The other replied. “The Commander is looking for them right now.” He looked nervous.

“Have you seen the moon?” Corona asked.

“Yes, we have Princess.”

“Mother and Aunty Luna would never let the moon loose its shine. Please, tell me the truth.”

“They are missing.” The guard looked really uncomfortable, but still did his best to remain at attention.

Corona swallowed a sob. She had to be strong. She could not let her fears, her sadness, her anger, get the better of her. “Doctor, I'm feeling fine... I must speak with Captain Shining Armor.”

This time, it was the Doctor who looked uncomfortable. “That... isn't possible...”

“What?” Corona eyed the stallion. “Why not? Tell me.”

“He... He is dead.”

Corona's eyes went to pin pricks, even as they widened in shock. “Sh-Shiny? No... Not him too...” She felt she wanted to cry, but she couldn't. In her mind, more memories came back in a torrent.

Shining Armor, Twilight Sparkle. Brother and sister.

She could not believe this. Shiny, her favorite among the royal guard... He had been her sister in her past life.

Still, no tears fell. She felt more memories come back. Dark memories.

Memories of dark magic, a place dark and foreboding. A place of death and knowledge.

“I... I can save Shining Armor. Please, put him in magical stasis.” Corona jumped from the bed and rushed through the castle toward her destination. The one place she knew where he magic to save her former brother might exist.

The filly ran through the halls till she reached the ancient doors.

The guard paled. “These... These are...”

“The Forsaken Halls.” Corona sighed. She closed her eyes, and recalled the magic she would need to open the great doors. “You wait outside and keep guard.”

“Princess, the last pony who went in there... I heard she died.”

Corona frowned a little. “She did not die from what she learned beyond those doors, but from an ancient evil that destroyed Ponyville. Now, I know what I have to find.” Her horn started glowing, brighter and brighter.

But the doors refused to budge.

Corona blinked. “But... I used the spell to open the doors. I remember the spell from when Mother opened the door the last time.”

The guard raised an eye. “Beg your pardon Princess... But I think the last time these doors were opened was before you were even born.”

Corona blinked. Had she just gotten some of Twilight Sparkle's memories mixed up with her own? She shook her head and tried the spell again, but to no avail.

The doors simply refused to budge.

“Princess? I believe your mother changed the spell to open the doors after the last time.”

Corona sighed and dropped her magic. “Mother... Where are you?” She looked up at the guard. “I-I can't save Shiny...” She fought back the tears, She HAD to be strong.

As she started to leave the ancient doors behind, she heard the alarm spell blare. “What's going on?”

“That's the jail alarm.” The guard scowled. “Did somepony break out of there? I thought the only prisoners were those two mares.”

Corona paled. “Why would they break out if they're innocent victims of some mind control spell?”

“Maybe they were not so innocent as they pretended to be.” The Guard wanted to rush off to help, but he had to protect Corona. “Let's get you back to your room.”

Corona sighed. “Very well...”

…

“Corona!” Elusive jumped off the bed and approached his best friend. “Corona?” He noticed she was crying. “What's wrong?”

“Shiny... Shining Armor... He's dead...”

“Shining....” Memories of changelings, of a wedding, of fear and joy flooded back into his mind. “Your... I mean Twilight Sparkle's older brother?”

Corona nodded weakly. “My older brother...” She didn't even think to correct herself. “He 'hick' he was... he was stabbed to death. Trapped by a spell that didn't let him move or use magic... I-I want mommy.” She started bawling.

Elusive nuzzled Corona's cheek and guided her too the bed. He gently levitated her up into bed and crawled up next to her.

The other four joined the pair, cuddling around their Princess, comforting her just with their presence. Corona cried herself to sleep.

…

Corona cracked her eyes open. The room was dim, not bright and beautiful. Small crystals that decorated the room shed the only light available.

“Mommy?” She whimpered. It was odd, she felt so tired, but she always woke up before the sun rose. She lifted her head and smiled at the sight of her friends, new and old, cuddled around her, protecting her.

The filly looked out the window, at the still dark sky.

This wasn't right.

The moon was still in the same place as before.

Had she just nodded for a few minutes? No, the clock on her wall showed it was six in the morning.

Then where was the light of the sun along the horizon? Why had the moon not moved?

Then she remembered. Hearing about the Princesses being missing. The only pony who knew what may have happened... dead.

Murdered.

Her big brother. No, Twilight Sparkle's big brother. But had she not been Sparkle?

“Princess?” Elusive spike softly. “Corona? Are you alright?”

“Elusive? Where is the sun? Mother should be bringing up the sun now... Where is Mother?” She felt panic starting to well up in her chest.

“Shh.” He cooed softly. “The Royal Guard will find her... I hope.” Truth was, Elusive was terrified as well. Never in his life had he been this scared, but he had to be strong for the Princess. For his dear friend.

Honey Crisp, Sweet Dreams, Flicker Bolt and Wish Star were also frightened, but they did their best to hide it.

Dream nuzzled Corona. “Princess, we have to have faith in the Guard, in the Princesses. Everything will be fixed before you know it.” He hoped he was right.

There came a knock at the door, and Commander Star Breaker entered the room. “Princess. We... We found out what became the Princesses... They...” He choked up. “I'm so sorry Your Royal Highness. They are dead.”

The six foals stared in shock and horror.

“No... Mommy?” Corona felt her tears pour again. “She... she can't be dead. She's immortal. Aunty Luna is immortal... What are we going to do?”

“Your Highness, you are now the sole ruler of Equestria. What do you ant us to do?”

A flicker of insight came to her and she wiped away her tears. “We find and crush the ones responsible for this act.” Her tone was shaky. “And I know how to find them... to lure them out.”

Eclipse did NOT like the sounds of that. “Corona? What are you thinking?”

“Bait.”

“Ah HECK no.” Honey jumped off the bed. “Then cultists are bad news. Ah ain't lettin' them get near me again.”

“I have to agree with Honey Crisp.” Sweet Dream hung his head. “I-I'm sorry Princess.”

“I don't want to go back.” Wish Star whimpered. “And I know Flicker doesn't either.”

“You got that right. They took my wings before. What would they take from me if they got me again? My legs? My eyes? My life?” That last part was a frightened whisper.

“Corona, I don't think that's...” Elusive started to speak, but was cut off by Corona.

“I'll be the bait.”

Breaker scowled. “I cannot allow that Highness. If you should fall into the hooves of the Cult, then there would be nopony left.”

“Then Prince Gallant Blueblood will become the ruler. He's next in line, and if he falls, Princess Mi Amor Cadenza will become ruler. There are many who have royal blood running through their veins.” Corona replied sternly. “Equestria will never be without a ruler.”

“But you are the LAST one of pure Alicorn blood. Even Princess Mi Amor Cadenza is not pure blood.” The guard tried to argue.

“My mind is made up. I will be the bait to lure them out, or we will let the cult think that I'm vulnerable.” Corona's mind was coming up with a plan. “A trap, with a fake, an illusion that will seem so real, in a position just perfect for the Cult to go after. Then the trap will be sprung and the cult will fall.”

Breaker blinked. “That might work.”

“I know it will.” She gave a very Twilight Sparkle grin, knowing her plan will succeed. “They won't know what hit them. Commander, no, Captain Star Breaker, call the other Captains and Commanders into a war meeting. Select a new Commander for yourself.” Corona then smiled at her friends. “And the six of us will be safe, here in Canterlot.”

The newly appointed Captain nodded. “Yes Highness. We will meet immediately.”

…

The long unused War Council Chambers had been locked from within. Over two dozen of the Guard surrounding the chambers, making sure nothing could get close.

Five foals were left in the living chambers of Princess Corona Twilight, one of the safest places in all of Canterlot.

“Ah just dun like it.” Honey frowned. “It makes no sense.”

“But what can we do?” Sweet Dreams asked. “We're not royalty. We're just foals.”

“Yes, we are.” Wish Star smirked. “But trust our Princess. She'll make this idea work.”

…

To Be Continued...

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A/N Now, I KNOW some of my readers asked me to NOT be so brutal in Corona as I was in Flutter, but this is the story I have made. It's dark and cruel, especially since it is happening to foals.

And yes, it gets darker, sometimes so cruel that I know I might loose some readers, but this is a creative outlet for my dark side after all. I do have other, cute stories and even clopfics you can look over if the violence in CoRoNa is too much for you. Either way, I hope you enjoy something I've written.

Comments always appreciated ^_^